NPFL set to clamp down on coaches’ indecent dressing and simulation

By Wale Mustapha

The Board of Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL has issued a stern warning to coaches in the league to desist from inappropriate dressing as it portray the league in bad light.

In a memo sent to 20 participating clubs and signed by Chief Operating Officer, COO of the league, Davidson Owumi informed clubs that relevant provisions of the league’s Framework will be invoked to ensure that no individual or group demeaned the public perception of the league.

The memo warned that coaches that appeared unkempt and shabbily for league matches would be charged based on relevant provisions of the rules.

“NPFL appealed to the leadership of our clubs to take interest in the dress codes of their Coaches who sit on the bench especially now that our games are on television,” Owumi wrote to the clubs.

“Football broadcast requires intentional packaging from arrival of teams to the dressing rooms, to the field, bench, and actual play.

“Let us join hands with our Broadcast Partners to make the league attractive to viewers at home and fans in the stadium.”

Also in the same memo, the league body demanded for sensitization of players on simulation in a bid to run down the clock thereby denying fee-paying fans full value for money and time.

“Football has been accepted as big business with entertainment value and this frequent disruption robs the league games of entertainment spectacle.

“It does not encourage fans who have paid money and spent time to watch games.”